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KungPOW · 08-03-2008, 03:33 AM

While reading the "gimme-some-grain" thread, Nesster made a reference to the Frugal Photographer, and developing film with coffee.

Gimme some Grain!

what? Coffee?

So after a little time on google, it turns out you CAN develope film with coffee.

This rapidly became a "I gotta try this!!"

I'd been pondering developing my own film for a while now. This was the push I needed, and tonight I did it. I developed a roll in coffee!

Here is the recipe I used: Caffenol Film Developer Formula

I used the Caffenol C mix. I used water for a stop bath, Kodak hard fixer and PhotoFlo.

I didn't think to photo-document the process. As it was my first time developing film I had enough to think about. Next time I'll take some shots.

Tomorrow I'll get the negatives scanned and post them. I gotta get a scanner!

So far the negatives look, well, like negatives. Using my 50mm as a loop, they look better then I expected.

Here is what I did:

The tank I bought is a 10oz tank so I increased the recipe.

Water 10 oz
Washing Soda 3 tsp (level)
Ascoric Acid 1.25 g (2 1/2 500mg tablets, pre-crushed)
Folgers Coffee 5 tsp (slightly rounded)

I pre-mixed the fixer and the photoflo as per the instructions.

I used tap water, and adjusted the temp out of the tap until it read 21° c on my digital meat thermometer. (it also works as my timer, go Ikea!)

For the developer, I measured 10 oz water into a container, and used a water bath to hold the temp at 21c. I added the ascorbic acid, then the coffee, and finally the washing soda. gave it a shake until everthing was mixed. Then I returned it to the water bath for 10 minutes to allow the bubles to clear.

12 minute development time. continuous agitation by inversion for the first 30 sec. then one inversion every 30 sec. tapped the tank bottom after every inversion.

Used a water stop bath. 30 sec continous inversion. changed the water and let it sit 30 sec. new water and let it sit another 30 sec. dumped the water.

added the fix for 4 minutes as per the instructions.

rinsed with water. added photoflo and hung the negatives to dry over the bathtub.

Overall, I'm happy with how the whole process went. And yes, the stuff does smell like old stove grease.

So the question now is: "If I use a double-double from Tim's, would I get a creamier bokah?"

(for the non-Canadians: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Hortons "

08-03-2008, 03:33 AM	#1
KungPOW Loyal Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Gallery Photos: 50 Posts: 447	Can I get Caffenol at Starbucks? While reading the "gimme-some-grain" thread, Nesster made a reference to the Frugal Photographer, and developing film with coffee. Gimme some Grain! what? Coffee? So after a little time on google, it turns out you CAN develope film with coffee. This rapidly became a "I gotta try this!!" I'd been pondering developing my own film for a while now. This was the push I needed, and tonight I did it. I developed a roll in coffee! Here is the recipe I used: Caffenol Film Developer Formula I used the Caffenol C mix. I used water for a stop bath, Kodak hard fixer and PhotoFlo. I didn't think to photo-document the process. As it was my first time developing film I had enough to think about. Next time I'll take some shots. Tomorrow I'll get the negatives scanned and post them. I gotta get a scanner! So far the negatives look, well, like negatives. Using my 50mm as a loop, they look better then I expected. Here is what I did: The tank I bought is a 10oz tank so I increased the recipe. Water 10 oz Washing Soda 3 tsp (level) Ascoric Acid 1.25 g (2 1/2 500mg tablets, pre-crushed) Folgers Coffee 5 tsp (slightly rounded) I pre-mixed the fixer and the photoflo as per the instructions. I used tap water, and adjusted the temp out of the tap until it read 21° c on my digital meat thermometer. (it also works as my timer, go Ikea!) For the developer, I measured 10 oz water into a container, and used a water bath to hold the temp at 21c. I added the ascorbic acid, then the coffee, and finally the washing soda. gave it a shake until everthing was mixed. Then I returned it to the water bath for 10 minutes to allow the bubles to clear. 12 minute development time. continuous agitation by inversion for the first 30 sec. then one inversion every 30 sec. tapped the tank bottom after every inversion. Used a water stop bath. 30 sec continous inversion. changed the water and let it sit 30 sec. new water and let it sit another 30 sec. dumped the water. added the fix for 4 minutes as per the instructions. rinsed with water. added photoflo and hung the negatives to dry over the bathtub. Overall, I'm happy with how the whole process went. And yes, the stuff does smell like old stove grease. So the question now is: "If I use a double-double from Tim's, would I get a creamier bokah?" (for the non-Canadians: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Hortons "